He will continue to pursue his career in the entertainment industry.
Through a statement published on Friday, November 15, Korean music and management company SM Entertainment shared an update regarding former RIIZE member Seunghan.
According to the label, “Seunghan is currently preparing to debut as a solo artist in 2025, and is receiving full support and guidance across several aspects considered essential for a solo debut including systemized training, producing, management, and more.”
Moreover, “Seunghan is determined to showcase a new side of himself as he embarks on his journey as a solo artist and carries out his talents and dreams,” with the agency asking for the public’s warm support to the idol as he begins this new chapter in his career.
Coinciding with the announcement, the official social media accounts for Seunghan have also been opened.
The entertainment company’s post comes a month after Seunghan withdrew from RIIZE following a protest carried out by a group of fans now referred to among the K-pop community as ‘OT6 stans,’ or those in favor of having him removed from the band.
The backlash was immense at that time, with this group sending funeral wreaths in front of the SM building in Seoul.
After the announcement of Seunghan’s departure, the ‘OT7 stans,’ who are then pushing for his return to the team, began a boycott movement that saw various parties and personalities joining the call, including prominent K-pop merchandise stores and
Seunghan was first revealed to the public as a member of RIIZE in August 2023, as they dropped the pre-debut single titled ‘Memories’ and the performance video for ‘Siren’ — which was later released as a full track earlier this year.
The seven-member lineup then made their official debut as a seven-member team on September 4, 2023 with their debut single, the viral sensation ‘Get A Guitar,’ which was followed by another single titled ‘Talk Saxy’ the following month.
It was on November 22, 2023, SM Entertainment said that Seunghan decided to pause his activities to reflect on his past actions, which he was “apologetic” about towards the team and members, and fans.
Since his hiatus, the group continued as a six-piece group with Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, and Anton, and released ‘Love 119,’ ‘Impossible,’ and ‘Boom Boom Bass,’ which are all part of their extended play ‘Riizing’ that was released last June 2024.
In August, the six-member line-up also brought the band’s ‘Riizing Day’ fan-concert to Manila, which was also their first-ever solo engagement in the country.